Charity Pays Off Mortgage For Family Of Police Sgt. Michael Chesna

WEYMOUTH (CBS) - The widow of slain Weymouth police Sgt. Mike Chesna will no longer have to worry about mortgage payments. It's been paid off.

"It's remarkable to see the goodness in people," said Frank Siller, chairman and CEO of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which raised the money. The group helps out first responders' families and the families of servicemen and women, who've either died on duty, or been severely injured.

Through its Fallen First Responder Home Program, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation pays off the mortgages of the families left behind when a firefighter or police officer is killed in the line of duty. Since 2015, the foundation has given $7 million to pay off the mortgages for 27 families.

For the Chesna family, the foundation took in donations from every state in the nation, and several other countries.

Sgt. Chesna served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, then came home and became a Weymouth police officer. He was killed in the line of duty last month.

"He wasn't just a hero," said Siller. "He was a superhero. He served his country, then his community."

Now, his widow and two young children won't have to move. Their mortgage has been paid off.

"It's important for the kids to be in a stable place, a place they're familiar with. Their schools and friends won't change," said Weymouth Police Chief Richard Grimes.

Cindy Chesna, Sgt. Chesna's widow, was there during the announcement, along with her two kids.

"The generosity of people is overwhelming, and I can't thank you enough," she said.